Bengaluru Demolition Row: John Brittas Slams DK Shivakumar's 'Don't Want Keralites' Remark

A political dispute has ignited between the Karnataka and Kerala governments over a demolition drive in Bengaluru's Kogilu village, where around 300 allegedly illegal houses were razed, displacing approximately 1,500 people. The action drew sharp criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who accused the Karnataka government of adopting a 'bulldozer policy'. The controversy intensified as CPI(M) MP John Brittas condemned alleged xenophobic remarks from Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. In response, Karnataka's Congress government defended its plan to provide 1BHK apartments to displaced families on 'humanitarian ground'. This move was labeled 'appeasement politics' by BJP Spokesperson Dr. Sudha Halkai, who questioned why flood-affected farmers in Kalburgi had not received similar aid. The BJP also accused the state government of taking directives from AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, sparking a wider debate on administrative priorities and political influence.